Personal Loans for Bad Credit in Tampa, FL

Are you in Tampa, and have bad credit, but looking for a way to access products?

 

People in Tampa may want to consider a bad credit personal loan. A bad credit loan may be an option for various needs or wants, including home improvements or a new laptop.

 

In this article we’ll go over:

  • What is bad credit
  • What people in Tampa need to know before getting a personal loan
  • Types of personal loans available in Tampa, FL

 

Before applying for a personal loan, it might be a good idea to check your credit score and budget. Having a general idea of your finances may help determine what you can reasonably pay.

Understanding Bad Credit

Commonly called a bad credit score, most credit bureaus generally agree that a credit score below 579 is considered a low credit score. The next credit score rating, a fair credit score, ranges from 580 to 669, and 670 to 739 is known as a good credit score.

 

Many factors may impact a credit score, including monthly payment history, credit utilization, and the number of accounts.

Tampa or Florida-Specific Considerations

Florida regulates all the financial institutions in the state, across all cities, including Tampa. They also specifically regulate bad credit loans. There are specific regulations in Florida around payday loans, which are capped at $500.

 

If you’re interested in knowing your credit score, pulling a credit report with each of the three credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com is a good start. The state of Florida also has federally approved credit counseling services, to help residents improve their credit scores.

Personal Loan & Alternative Options in Tampa, Florida

Bad credit loans may be a good option for some people, but it’s a good idea to consider all your options. Borrowers in Florida have several choices, like payday loans and car title loans, which are currently legal in Florida.

 

While these alternative payment options may have similarities, the total amount, terms, and other details often differ. Check with the company you’re interested in doing business with and read any agreements before signing.

 

You might be wondering: Is a lease the same as a loan?

 

Leases & loans are quite different – here’s what you need to know:

 

  • A loan (or personal loan) is generally a lump sum of funds provided on the recipient’s behalf that is paid back over time (and, like most loans, includes interest.)
  • lease (or lease-to-own option) allows the recipient to possess the leased item for a pre-determined period and includes the option to purchase the item outright. It does not include interest but has leasing fees.

What Products or Services Can a Bad Credit Loan Get You?

Bad credit loans may be a great option for a variety of needs, such as new furniture or electronics.

 

Outdoor lawn equipment, like a new lawn mower may be a good use of a bad credit loan. With warm weather almost year-round in Tampa, a good lawn mower seems to be essential for homeowners or renters and may be cheaper in the long run than paying someone to cut your grass every couple of weeks.

 

Bad credit loans are not limited to products. They may also work for items like new tires or even dental work. However, bad credit loans are subject to approval, and certain products may not qualify for payment solutions.**

 

Other items that may qualify include:

Tampa, FL Bad Credit Loan FAQs

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Can you realistically get a loan in Tampa with bad credit?
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What’s considered “bad credit”?
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Are there other payment solutions that might work with bad credit?

Sources:

Bankrate – What you need to know about your credit score
https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/what-is-a-credit-score/#what-is-a-good-credit-score

 

Florida Office of Financial Regulations – Payday Lenders
https://flofr.gov/sitePages/PaydayLenders.htm

 

Florida Consumer – Debt Management Plans
https://floridaconsumercredit.org/services/faqs

© 2025 American First Finance. All Rights Reserved.

1 Application Terms: Your application, including the amount, cost, and approval, is subject to review and is not guaranteed. Applications are reviewed based on data you provide and one or more of the following: identity verification, bank verification, information from a third-party, a credit reporting agency, and/or prior experience through American First Finance (AFF).

Bank Loan: A consumer installment loan is originated by FinWise Bank, a Utah-chartered bank, Member FDIC and sub-serviced by AFF. The loan may be funded by the bank to the merchant for you to purchase item(s) and/or service(s). In some cases, the loan for returning customers is funded directly to your checking account for personal, family or household use.

Retail Installment Sale Agreement: A retail installment agreement is not a loan. You may enter into a Retail Installment Sale Agreement with a merchant to purchase item(s) and/or service(s). AFF may purchase the Agreement from the Merchant. An example of a retail installment transaction based on a 12-month term with 26 biweekly payments: if you make a purchase of $1,000 and make a $50 down payment with an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 169.53%, you will have 25 bi-weekly payments of $74.79 and 1 bi-weekly payment of $75.06. The total amount repayable will be $1,944.81 with full, timely payments over 12 months.

Lease: A lease is not a loan or credit transaction. It has several names: lease, lease-to-own, rent-to-own, or rental-purchase. With a lease, you select the item(s) and AFF purchases the item(s) from a Merchant. You take the item(s) home. AFF retains ownership until you pay for the item(s) plus rental fees. Other fees may be included, such as late, non-sufficient funds, delivery, and optional Liability Damage Waiver fees. As a result, the total amount you pay for leasing an item may be more than double the retail cost. You can cancel your lease at any time without penalty by contacting AFF. An example of a 12-month lease with weekly payments: if you lease a $1,000 item and pay a $50 (plus tax) processing fee, you will have 52 additional weekly rental payments of $46.11 to complete your lease. Your total lease payments will be $2,452.21 with full, timely payments over 12 months.

2 You will save money on interest, finance charges, or leasing fees when you pay the discounted amount during the Early Payoff Discount (EPD) period or by exercising the Early Buyout Option (EBO). You must make payments larger than your regularly scheduled payments by the EPD/EBO expiration date. You will make additional payments through the customer portal or by contacting the customer service team.

3 Decisioning may take additional time and not be same day. Additional information may be required.

4 This loyalty program is offered by FinWise Bank. The program provides loyal customers the opportunity to qualify for a lower rate. A rate reduction is valid on new loans only and cannot be applied to existing loans. The rate reduction is only applicable to customers with a prior loan open for at least 150 days, with all payments posted and cleared on time for the life of the loan, and the loan has been paid in full. Maximum of two (2) rate reductions per customer. Loans are originated by FinWise Bank, a Utah-chartered bank, Member FDIC. Terms and conditions subject to change at any time without prior disclosure or notice.

5 Approval is possible without a credit score, but credit may be checked.

6 Testimonials reflect the real-life experiences of customers who used our products and/or services. Individual results may vary.

To report a problem or complaint with this lender, you may write info@americanfirstfinance.com or call customer service at (855) 721-1188.

American First Finance, LLC – NMLS ID 1757007

© 2025 American First Finance. All Rights Reserved.